Giving you the first look at the city’s newest activities and attractions for friends and families this holiday season.

1. Winter Festivities
From Nov. 23, 2018, to March 17, 2019, winter festivities will be returning at Ontario Place for the second consecutive year. Featuring the Winter Light Exhibition, with 18 light installations designed by various Canadian artists to explore, you won’t want to miss this incredible celebration of the season complete with skating, community bonfires, Cinesphere screenings and fairy lights galore.
www.ontarioplace.com

2. Museum of Illusions
With 14 locations worldwide, the Museum of Illusions is now calling Canada home, opening its newest location in Toronto in November. As you make your way through the 80-plus installations, your senses will be jolted as you encounter everything from vortex tunnels to holograms. Open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., this is Toronto’s newest must-see attraction.
www.museumofillusions.ca

3. Zuul: Life of an Armoured Dinosaur
From Dec. 15, 2018, to May 20, 2019, visit the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and discover a new species of armoured dinosaur, named and unveiled by the ROM. Zuul crurivastator is one of the most complete, well-preserved specimens of a tail-clubbed dinosaur. “The idea behind the exhibit is to take visitors back in time to Zuul’s world and to reflect on its adaptations, both in terms of how it lived and functioned within its ecosystem and how the world that it lived in has changed in the past 75 million years,” says Dr. David Evans, the James and Louise Temerty Endowed Chair of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the ROM.
www.rom.on.ca/en

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4. Max Jamali
In his Edge of Perspective art series, Max Jamali asks a question, challenging the public, fusing opposing individuals together and questioning their legacy or even the perception of a single public figure. The award-winning artist utilizes layers of diamond dust and crystal along with his renowned handcrafted metallic snakeskin logo in creating the pieces in this series.
www.maxjamalioriginal.com

5. The Coldest Night of the Year
Feb. 23, 2019, marks The Coldest Night of the Year, a national two-, five- or 10-kilometre walk designed to give people a glimpse into the life individuals lead while experiencing homelessness in the winter months. Participants register online to set up a fundraising page, where money goes to support charities in the community that help those who are hungry, homeless or hurting.
www.cnoy.org

6. Kids Fest Toronto 2019
Celebrate Family Day weekend the right way at Kids Fest Toronto. This three-day show, running from Feb. 16–18, 2019, at the International Centre, is Canada’s largest inflatables festival, featuring more than 30 different themed inflatable rides and attractions with options for children of all ages. Marking its 10th year, this festival also has face painting, a petting zoo, musical stage shows and carnival games.
www.kidsfestto.com

7. 20 Years of The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection
Liss Gallery, a premier Canadian art gallery, will be displaying a selection of pieces from The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection until Jan. 12, 2019. This installation marks the celebration of the collection’s 20th anniversary and will display a rare selection of art, including works from Dr. Seuss’s well-known children’s books and three-dimensional sculptures such as The Carbonic Walrus.
www.lissgallery.com

8. Miracle on Queen Street
Celebrate the magic of Christmas in style at Miracle on Queen Street. The pop-up Christmas-themed cocktail bar is located at 251 Queen St. W. and is open until Dec. 26. Don’t miss a selection of festive drinks, like the Bad Santa, which features a mix of mulled red wine, tawny port, orange liqueur, spices and golden raisins, served hot.
www.miraclepopup.com

9. Christmas Market
Come down to Toronto’s Distillery Historic District and experience the magic of the season at the ninth annual Toronto Christmas Market. Open Tuesday through Sunday until Dec. 23, the market offers fun for the whole family, with more than 400 stage performances, handcrafted products for sale, a Ferris wheel and carousel, festive foods and beverages, and even Santa Claus himself will be there.
www.torontochristmasmarket.com

10. The Nutcracker
Toronto International Ballet Theatre has collaborated with Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow to present two exclusive performances of The Nutcracker. Hosted at Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on Dec. 22 at 2 pm and 7 pm, these productions will feature two of Bolshoi Ballet’s principal dancers, Anastasia Stashkevich and Vyacheslav Lopatin, with an enchanting and innovative version of this holiday classic.
www.torontoballet.ca

11. Cross-country Skiing at Albion Hills
The Albion Hills Conservation Area, located just north of Toronto, is the ideal place to take in the outdoors. Bring the family or head there with friends and enjoy the beautiful 26 kilometres of trails available for cross-country skiing, with options for novice skiers as well as those looking for a challenge. If cross-country skiing isn’t for you, tobogganing, snowshoeing, skate skiing and fat biking are also available.
www.trca.ca/activities/cross-country-skiing